All of the pins are set but the lock doesn't open?

[helicub81]

Hi, I'm quite new at this hobby, and i was wondering what i am doing wrong. I bought the cheapest kwikset deadbolt i could find and mounted it to a piece of wood. I have a set of Southord Lock Picks.

It seems to me that i don't have a problem with setting the pins. I put them up and when i run the feeler pick under them, i feel no resistance and it glides under. However, even when all of the pins are picked, the lock does not open. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm thinking that the top pin is stuck at the shear line and i'm applying too much tension, but this also happens when i apply very little tension. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Squelchtone]

Hi, I'm quite new at this hobby, and i was wondering what i am doing wrong. I bought the cheapest kwikset deadbolt i could find and mounted it to a piece of wood. I have a set of Southord Lock Picks.

It seems to me that i don't have a problem with setting the pins. I put them up and when i run the feeler pick under them, i feel no resistance and it glides under. However, even when all of the pins are picked, the lock does not open. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm thinking that the top pin is stuck at the shear line and i'm applying too much tension, but this also happens when i apply very little tension. Anyone have any suggestions?

When you say you are setting the pins, you don't by chance mean that you are just lifting all the pins as high as they go right?

Also, is this a Kwikset, or a Kwikset Smartkey? If it is a Smartkey, return it, it's not a beginner lock. Get a Defiant or a Mountain Security if normal old version Kwikset is not available.

Good luck,
Squelchtone

[sfi72]

Hi, I'm quite new at this hobby, and i was wondering what i am doing wrong. I bought the cheapest kwikset deadbolt i could find and mounted it to a piece of wood. I have a set of Southord Lock Picks.

It seems to me that i don't have a problem with setting the pins. I put them up and when i run the feeler pick under them, i feel no resistance and it glides under. However, even when all of the pins are picked, the lock does not open. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm thinking that the top pin is stuck at the shear line and i'm applying too much tension, but this also happens when i apply very little tension. Anyone have any suggestions?

When you say you are setting the pins, you don't by chance mean that you are just lifting all the pins as high as they go right?

Also, is this a Kwikset, or a Kwikset Smartkey? If it is a Smartkey, return it, it's not a beginner lock. Get a Defiant or a Mountain Security if normal old version Kwikset is not available.

Good luck,
Squelchtone

Defiants can have a spool pin or two in them, go for basic kwikset. If you don't know if its a smartkey, take a photo and we will be glad to help.

[helicub81]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think its a smartkey version. It doesn't have any false pins or any other security pins.

And i'm pretty sure i'm not just lifting the pins. Before they are "picked", i can feel resistance when i run the pick under it. But after it is picked, there is little resistance and i can hear a rattling noise when i slide the pick under the pin. I read somewhere that this means that the pin is picked. But, it still doesn't open.

[pjzstones]

you're most likely over-lifting a pin or two which means that the bottom pin/s is being lifted higher than the sheer line and is getting stuck. if you have the key look at the different heights of the cuts that will let you know how high to lift each pin.

[helicub81]

I can actually hear the pins rattling around when i run the pick under them, does that imply that the bottom pin isn't stuck? Or can it be a little stuck?

[pjzstones]

if a pin is over-lifted then it wouldn't move freely it would be binding. you could be under-lifting too. a picture of the lock would be of help.

[FarmerFreak]

Even though you may have thought you have picked the lock. Slow down, and take a deep breath. You are a beginner, you said so yourself.

Since you think that you are picking it. I recommend that you take the lock apart. And put it back together with only one pin (1 key pin, 1 driver pin, and 1 spring). Get the feel for binding and lifting that pin until it clicks and turns.

If you can, do that with a shallow cut. After you know how high to lift the pin, lift it half way (so it won't turn). And see what it feels like, the bottom pin should move freely and rattle. Because there isn't any spring tension on it anymore, your tension is holding the top pin in place. This is likely what you are experiencing with the lock as is, except you are currently thinking that you have picked it.

Once you have a better grasp on what is happening with only one pin. Start adding more pins, one at a time until the lock is fully pinned.

Don't give up, just take it a little slower at first. What has most likely happened is that you are either overlifting a pin, or you haven't lifted up one of the pins far enough. Just like what pjzstones said.

[helicub81]

Ok, here are some pictures of the lock. I had a hunch i was underlifting, but the fact that they rattle kind still mystifies me.

Here are some pictures. The faceplate is bent because i was prying it off. I attached a picture of the spring and top pin too. All of the top pins look like that, so i don't think it is one of those spool pins.

I also attached a picture of a bottom pin as well as the key.

[helicub81]

Ok, here are some pictures of the lock. I had a hunch i was underlifting, but the fact that they rattle kind still mystifies me.

Here are some pictures. The faceplate is bent because i was prying it off. I attached a picture of the spring and top pin too. All of the top pins look like that, so i don't think it is one of those spool pins.

I also attached a picture of a bottom pin as well as the key.

[helicub81]

Even though you may have thought you have picked the lock. Slow down, and take a deep breath. You are a beginner, you said so yourself.

Since you think that you are picking it. I recommend that you take the lock apart. And put it back together with only one pin (1 key pin, 1 driver pin, and 1 spring). Get the feel for binding and lifting that pin until it clicks and turns.

If you can, do that with a shallow cut. After you know how high to lift the pin, lift it half way (so it won't turn). And see what it feels like, the bottom pin should move freely and rattle. Because there isn't any spring tension on it anymore, your tension is holding the top pin in place. This is likely what you are experiencing with the lock as is, except you are currently thinking that you have picked it.

Once you have a better grasp on what is happening with only one pin. Start adding more pins, one at a time until the lock is fully pinned.

Don't give up, just take it a little slower at first. What has most likely happened is that you are either overlifting a pin, or you haven't lifted up one of the pins far enough. Just like what pjzstones said.

Ok, i'm going to try and use one pin first. I'm just wondering, say if you have all 5 pins that feel set, but one isn't because it is lifted half way, how would u know which one is the one that is lifted half way?

[FarmerFreak]

Ok, i'm going to try and use one pin first. I'm just wondering, say if you have all 5 pins that feel set, but one isn't because it is lifted half way, how would u know which one is the one that is lifted half way?

Good question. There is something that comes with experience that can't always be explained.

But by far the most reliable method I have found to answering this question when working on a lock myself. Is to keep track of exactly which pins set. Count and remember which ones actually clicked at the sheer line. If you don't get a good click or sensation of it actually setting to the sheer line. Remember which pin it was and get back to it later. Sometimes a pin will stop binding at some point on the way up. You will have to get back to it after picking some of the other pins.

[helicub81]

Ok, i'm going to try and use one pin first. I'm just wondering, say if you have all 5 pins that feel set, but one isn't because it is lifted half way, how would u know which one is the one that is lifted half way?

Good question. There is something that comes with experience that can't always be explained.

But by far the most reliable method I have found to answering this question when working on a lock myself. Is to keep track of exactly which pins set. Count and remember which ones actually clicked at the sheer line. If you don't get a good click or sensation of it actually setting to the sheer line. Remember which pin it was and get back to it later. Sometimes a pin will stop binding at some point on the way up. You will have to get back to it after picking some of the other pins.

Do you always feel something with the tension wrench when a pin is set? Or is it all in the pick? Sorry if this is a really basic question.

[FarmerFreak]

You should be able to feel it in both the pick and the tension wrench. It is very rare to only feel it in just the pick.

Usually if you only feel it in the pick, it may just be your pick slipping off the tip of the pin. Sometimes this sensation of the pick slipping off of the tip of the pin can give you a false sensation of setting the pin.

So yes, this was another good question.

[helicub81]

All right, thank you all for helping me w/ this problem!!